The Efficacy of Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) as Palliative Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Introduction: Prostate cancer, the primary contributor to cancer-related fatalities in Western countries, predominantly impacts individuals between the ages of 45 and 60. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 1,414,259 new cases worldwide. Diagnosis methods include prostate biopsy, PSA testing, and MRI, with risk factors such as age, weight, race, and family history contributing to the varied epidemiology of the disease. Treatment alternatives such as surgery and radiation therapy come with notable side effects, prompting ongoing research into alternatives like prostate artery embolization (PAE) for benign prostatic obstruction. However, the role of PAE in patients with prostate cancer remains uncertain.
Aim: The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the efficacy of Prostatic Artery Embolization as one of the palliative management strategies for clinical outcomes in prostate cancer.
Method: We searched for English-language full-text literature from Pubmed, Cochrane, Wiley Library, Proquest, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect databases from January 2013 to Desember 2023. Based on the 1442 journals identified in this study, the number of evaluated articles is 6.
Results: In six studies, PAE induces tissue ischemia through femoral artery embolization, offering promise for localized prostate cancer treatment. Administered under local anesthesia, PAE has shorter hospital stays and is well-tolerated compared to TURP. After PAE treatment, significant IPSS reduction occurred, with improved outcomes reported at 1 and 6 months. Histopathology showed necrotic zones, but viable cancer cells persisted. PAE is a valuable adjunctive therapy for reducing organ-at-risk doses in exclusive prostate radiation therapy.
Conclusion: PAE is a minimally invasive treatment for LUTS related to BPH and its potential in managing PCa. PAE, utilizing femoral artery occlusion, shows significant short and medium-term reductions in IPSS. While there's notable success in PCa management and reduced radiation doses, further research is essential for a comprehensive understanding of PAE's efficacy in localized PCa treatment.